Feral kittens added to the group

hroswitha

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Hi, my name is Renee, and I'm a cat hoarder.  I don't want to be, but there it is.

My husband and I have 5 indoor cats.  That population has been stable for 7 years now, and I have no desire to add to the group.  They don't go outside, they are all fixed and healthy, and they are all loved and wanted.

In April, we performed a TNR on three ferals kitties roaming our neighborhood.  First Simon, a mostly white cat with orange patches, started coming to our back door.  The back of our house drops down into a wild ravine, which is our property, so the cats can come and go with a degree of privacy.  Simon led two other cats to us.  Those felines are likely brother and sister, just under a year old.  We call her Esther, him Brighton.  Lovely animals - she is a grey tabby with green eyes, he is orange with a white bib and nose piece, white socks, and the same green eyes.

When we trapped them in April, we thought we had shut down the breeding and there would be no more.  Silly me.  April was too late.  Esther had already had a litter, though we didn't see signs of it and the vet who fixed her said nothing.  They must have been at least a month old, or they wouldn't have survived without mom for the two days she was gone.  

She has begun to bring them up for dinner, but usually only one at a time.  We have seen a little one with Esther's coloring, but the white bib, nose piece, and socks of Brighton - he's likely her father.  We have also gotten a good look at a solid orange kit - probably a boy.  There's one more, but it hasn't come close enough for us to see it yet.  

So if we do a TNR for the kittens, we'll be feeding a total of 11 cats.  Esther alone can eat three times a day, and at least a can of food at a time.  We feed only wet food, as I'm all too aware of the health consequences of kibble for cats.  

My house is not large enough, particularly with our own 5 cats, to try to socialize the kittens, but if I chose to try, what would I do?  My goal would be to prepare them for adoption elsewhere - I have no room for them.  Suggestions?
 

ondine

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I do not agree with your title "hoarder." Hoarders mean well but do not provide, sometimes even, basic care for their animals. That does not sound like what you are doing.

That being said, we all reach our limits and it sounds like you are at yours! :) Is there a rescue group in your area? They may be able to help with fostering and possibly finding homes. Probably not (it's kitten season) but they may offer guidance and support.

Are the kittens friendly at all? I am not sure from your post if you can offer them a temporary foster home. If so, try that and socializing them. Definitely get them fixed as soon as possible, so that even if you can't find homes for them, you won't up with more.

And thank you for helping them.
 
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hroswitha

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The local rescue places are up to their armpits with cute abandoned kittens.  I won't add to their burden.  What's more, the humane society person lending me the traps to catch the kitties has made it clear - I'm on my own.  Whether I wind up with three additional mouths to feed in my ravine, or I try to socialize them and adopt them out, it's my call.  

I can't get close to the kittens at all just yet.  Their mother tolerates a degree of proximity, but hisses as I put down food.  She wants me to stay a certain distance.  I can respect that.  Her kits don't even allow that much contact.  They run when the door opens, and only return for food after it's been human-free for several minutes.

She only brings up one at a time, but we saw three of them clear as day.  They look healthy - the orange kitten looks well-fed with rounded limbs and well-groomed fur.  The little girl is just adorable, but even spookier than her brother.

The humane society here has offered me an enclose that might help me with socializing the cats.  I've talked to my husband, and we think we could use our screened-in front porch as a retaining area for the kittens.  We would have to keep our own cats out of the porch, but it's doable.  

Has anyone successfully gone through socialization processes?  What should I consider, what should I do to help these kittens eventually find good and loving homes, out of a ravine?

Since finishing this post, I looked out my back window.  It's a warm-ish day, and Simon has found the top of my deck where he's sprawled in a classic comfortable cat position while he takes a snooze.  Esther has spread herself across one of the steps, just a foot or so down from the top of the deck.  This scene makes me so happy - the ferals feel safe and protected here.  They won't be bothered; only good things happen at this house.  (Needless to say, they've forgotten being trapped, transported, surgically altered, and returned in a cage.  Bless short memory spans.)
 
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ondine

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Socializing depends on a couple of factors. How old they are when trapped (the younger the better). Separating them from mom, who may still try to be teach them to fear humans. Being consistent and focused (you may need to spend many, many hours with them and it will take some time before they come around). Isolating them is best, so they will have to be kept confined to the porch and sheltered from the other cats. Maybe hanging sheets up to make the private room they'll need. They shouldn't be able to see Simon and Esther (and mom), as it will distract them from the job at hand - learning that humans are OK.

Than you so much for helping.
 
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hroswitha

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The kittens are, I think, around 4 months old.  The front porch is divided from the main house by curtains, which can be kept closed.  If necessary, I can hang sheets around the windows to the outside to screen it off.  I should have a socializing enclosure on loan from the local humane society, where the kittens will live during the process.  We can get small cat boxes, and spread the bottom with towels and other soft things for them.  

I worry about my indoor cats, who may spend time crying at the door.  I have time to spend working with the kittens this summer, as I'm dissertating at home.  My 13 year old son can help as well, with instruction.  I can get them new toys, ones that come without the scent of strange kitties, and slowly accustom them to human contact.  

Are there tips and tricks to this?
 

ondine

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One thing that works wonders is food. Bribe them with food. In especially difficult cases, Gerber chicken baby food is irresistible. You can use it to get them to approach you (on the end of a long spoon). But any mushy wet food will work.

Once you are able to touch them, wrapping them tightly in a towel and just cuddling them works too. You can also sit quietly and read out loud to them, getting them used to the soothing sound of a human voice. A lot depends on where they are right now - like if they ricochete off the sides of the crate or cower in corners, you're starting from scratch.

We will chime in with tips once you have a beter idea as to how feral they are.
 
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hroswitha

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Right.  First, I must catch them and get the all shots and fixed.  Then, with the cat haven, I'll start the process.  *sigh*
 

shadowsrescue

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Thank you so much for all you do for these cats.  Without you, they would have nothing.  You are definitely not a hoarder, but instead I would call you an angel!  I think it is our wide open hearts that extend our energy out to these homeless animals.  I have done TNR on 3 and have another cat that is hanging around.  I am just so sick that people thinks it's ok to just dump their unneutered or unspayed cats.  It is definitely a human problem, not a cat problem! 

The rescues here are also full.  I have been told they either will not take the stray or they will euthanize.  I plan to trap the latest cat just so no reproduction can occur and then allow it to live outside for the summer.  I will feed it and there is shelter.  I am hoping by the time it gets colder, one of the rescues might have room or I might find someone to adopt it.  My inside space is full.  I can't bring in any other animals.  I know I am at my the limit for myself and my family.  Yet, I won't let this cat die.  I will do what I can to help.

I hope you are able to trap the kittens and begin socializing.  You are definitely an angel to all of these cats!
 
 
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hroswitha

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Thank you all for the kind support.  I didn't really mean that I'm a hoarder, but if I have trouble with the accumulation of anything, I think it would be advanced degrees and cats.  Expensive habits, those.

So the sweetest thing happened this morning.  The two siblings, Brighton and Esther, who we also believe are parents to the kittens (eww!), came up together for breakfast.  (Note:  Brighton NEVER comes up for breakfast.  He sleeps in, and shows up in the late afternoon.)  With them are... one...two...three little fuzzballs.

So we have a little one who looks just like Brighton down to color and markings (orange, white bib and nosepiece, white socks), a kitten with Esther's coloring but Brighton's markings (grey tabby with white nosepiece, socks, and bib), and a little solid orange guy.  All three came up to eat, all three stuck around even as we ferried extra food out there for the hungry critters, and we got to assess.

If they are 4 months old, they're small.  More likely, they're around 3 months old.  All three look, on the surface, healthy.  Coordination is good, eyesight fine, they show no signs of patchy coats or sores or other problems I've seen in kittens born of too close a relationship.  And cute as HELL!  With 5 indoor cats, they won't be adopted by me, but I hope I can persuade good friends of mine who are shy a cat or two that they really want to be humane angels and take a little one.  

Getting traps from the local humane society this week, hope to have trapped them by Sunday night.  Cross your fingers.
 
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